Paulc5

Hello everyone,
i am considering buying a used 2012 ml350 bluetech and was wondering what i should be looking out for?
im new to MB in general as ive only owned a 09 c350 in the past but have never owned anything diesel let alone MB diesel.

is there some common issues and problems the ML350 runs into and what should i look for when i test drive this car?
im not breaking the bank on this thing so it will be higher mileage as well. im only planning on spending 17-20k Canadian so kms will be 150-180k range.

any help or tips would be appreciated. like i said im a noob to MB so please feel free to highlight anything.

thanks in advance,
Paul

kombifan

No.









some clarification.


If you like your cars to run.
NO.

If if you like the diesel power train. Accept that us and Canada emissions regulations have done a number on the engine.
Have researched main issues and failures.
Are willing to give it a labor of love.
Then yes.


Otherwise go for the v8 ml550. That’s more fun.
Go for a gas ml350.
Or try to find a ml400.

Paulc5

So in general I should stay away from the bluetech is what I’m getting?
when I research common issues I’m not coming across lots of info other than engine seals need to be replaced which seemed like a big job.

Etienne Lau

I own an 2014 ML 350 Bluetec (Diesel). I previously owned 2014 VW Touareg TDI, 2013 VW Jetta TDI. So yes I am a diesel fan. And yes @kombifan is correct they are a bit of a labor of love. He is also correct that after 2007, Emissions hardware added to the diesels in general have caused problems.

I did not own the VW Jetta TDI long enough to experience any issues.

The VW Touareg I experienced several emissions related issues. Specifically the DEF heater went on the vehicle. I ended up dropping the DEF tank, and replacing the heater myself. Little did I know that after I did that VW volunteered to pay for previous and future repair costs of this issue. But since I did not have the repairs done by dealer, I was out of pocket the cost of the heater, so around $100ish. There were intermittent NOx sensor issues that came and went, most I suspect were due to not driving the vehicle hard enough. Meaning I needed to drive it like I stole it.

The 2014 ML 350 Bluetec, surprisingly has been reasonably trouble free from an emissions perspective. I have no issues with any of the NOx sensors, DEF heater. The only issues I have had so far was the Accelerator Pedal sensor. I ended buying a new pedal from the dealer and its was a easy 30 minute job to replace the pedal. However I am still getting the odd check engine light and several times the vehicle has gone into a "limp" mode related to the pedal sensor. On each occasion, I have bypassed this issue by pulling over. Shutting the engine off, opening the drivers door and the restarting the vehicle. When I get sometime, I may hit the dealer up on this issue to see what they have to say.

kombifan

The diesel forum will give you a more specific rundown of the issues

Issues are but not limited too:
Adbkue heater failure
Adbkue tank cracking
Adbkue tank crystallisation
Dpf failure
Egr valve swirls clogging
Sludge
Seals leaking
Oil cooler leaking
Sludge (notice input it twice?)
Engine mount melting
Etc etc

http://www.stephensservice.com/bluet...ssuesproblems/

Oh yes...the US diesels love warm climates.

They seem to hate cold climates. So do change oil at 5k mi intervals as a lot of fuel dilution(accretion?) occurs as well.

Etienne Lau

...hate cold climates!!! That's funny that may explain why I have not too many issues with my vehicle, since I live in Dallas, TX. But I also pamper my diesel by driving a minimum of 10 miles once it's started. No short tripping with diesels as even here in Dallas it takes at least 10 miles to get the engine oil up to 90c temperature and that is how to prevent sludge buildup.

Paulc5

Thanks for all the info guys! I’m gonna maybe sleep on on buying a bluetech Mercedes.

southflorida69

I have a 2012 Ml350 bluetec, love the ride and all the features of the vehicle, great on long trips.
That being said , I purchased my ml350 with 34k miles on it and have it for just over 2 years and now.....
66k miles on it and have had the oil cooler seal replaced 3600.00 6months later transfer case shaft seal 2k
now motor mounts 1800.00 all done at the dealership and they have done a horrible job on the repairs.
also the Ac is only working on one side . The service department says low on charge but not likely as it works sometime
but not other. My ml350 has been at the service department now for 2weeks while they try to figure out whats making
noise when driving after their transfer case repair.....

Paulc5

Mercedes has been doing Diesel engines for decades, you think they would of figured it out by now. Everyone I know with this car has had issues it seems. It looks nice however.